Five areas of Walsall town centre transformation revealed - here's what's planned
The Walsall Town Centre Framework, approved on December 10, 2025, details major changes residents can expect to see from as early as 2026 until 2040.
Five opportunity areas have been identified by Walsall Council – Waterfront, Station Quarter, Park Place and Connected Gateway, the Civic Quarter, and Old Square and High Street.
Projects already underway or delivered have been funded by Walsall Town Deal (£21.3m), the Future High Streets Fund (£11.4m) and Walsall Community Regeneration Partnership (£20m).
Future plans include up to 670 homes, kayaking in the canal basin, and bringing Walsall Arena into the former Park Place Shopping Centre, previously home to Wilko until 2023.
Proposals for each of the five opportunity areas are listed below.
Waterfront
The 1.5 hectare site has been identified by the council as a mixed-use neighbourhood, with a new residential community of at least 150 new homes at Waterside Point.
The council said it hopes to work with the Canal and River Trust to upgrade the berthing facilities at the canal basin, and introduce recreational activities such as kayaking.
Station Quarter
It is envisioned that this area around the railway station will host up to 350 homes.
The authority said proposals are expected to provide a high-quality frontage on Station Street incorporating the Grade II listed 22-24 Station Street into a mixed-use development of apartments and townhouses.
The Waterfront South Site, currently a small piece of open land, has the potential to become public open space including a ‘destination’ playground for families with young children.
Park Place and Connected Gateway
The Connected Gateway project will see two buildings demolished to the south of the existing footpath between Park Street and the bus station, Butler’s Passage. Demolition is expected to commence in January 2026.
The council hopes opening up the area will create high quality open spaces between the two transport hubs, which will host pop-up activities including a screen to broadcast major events.
Park Place Shopping Centre could house a new mixed-use cultural hub, which will replace the Walsall Arena and Arts Centre in Leamore, depending on a feasibility study.
The authority said if the former shopping centre is not feasible to host the arena, then an alternative site in the town centre will be identified.
Also in the Park Place and Connected Gateway opportunity area is the new Adult Learning Centre inside the former Marks & Spencer, which is set to open in 2027.
Civic Quarter
This part of town is home to the Gala Swimming Baths, Walsall Council House, and Town Hall.
It is suggested that between 25 and 120 homes could be built in this opportunity area.
Walsall Council said the Gala Baths, which attracts a quarter of a million visitors annually, is approaching the end of its operational life.
In the town centre framework, the authority will explore either retrofitting the existing site or relocating the facility elsewhere to secure its long-term future.
Other plans include ‘reimagining’ the Town Hall, bringing it back into use and encouraging visitors to the numerous pubs and bars along Leicester Street and Darwall Street.
The council also plans to include a review into the Civic Centre, which currently hosts the council services, registry office, West Midlands Police and other public sector partners.
Old Square and High Street
The plans for this opportunity area focus around the town’s market offer, the Old Square Shopping Centre and the Victorian Arcade.
The Old Square Shopping Centre has 140,000 sq ft of retail floorspace, eight apartments and 370 space NCP car park.
Previously anchored by Debenhams, the framework suggests that the building presents an opportunity to be a potential home for the Gala Baths should it be relocated, as well as high quality accommodation for ‘later living’.
The market offer could be reimagined as the council explores the potential for new pop-up stalls and infrastructure for food traders and events, as well as an enhanced year-long town centre events programme.
Also in this area is the Creative Industries Enterprise Centre in the Grade II listed Guildhall building. Once complete it will host co-working facilities, maker spaces, specialist equipment and social spaces.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council and portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “The Walsall Town Centre Framework sets out our transformative roadmap to reimagine our town centre as a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable destination for residents, businesses, and visitors.
“Aligned with our We Are Walsall 2040 strategy, this Framework outlines how we will deliver change over the next 5, 10, and 15 years.
“Together, we can shape a town centre that reflects the best of Walsall; its creativity, resilience, and community spirit. I’d like to invite partners and stakeholders to join us in delivering this vision and ensuring Walsall borough thrives for generations to come.”
